While we cannot know the future, the purpose of the CLF Strategy 2030 is to ensure the CLF is prepared and focused on meeting the challenges of this decade, while also providing hope and opportunities to our learners, our people and our communities; it is against the ideals of this narrative that work of the trust is monitored and its future success judged.

Steve Taylor, CEO - Cabot Learning Federation

Our Core Strategy

Equity Through Education is underpinned by three core strategies central to all trust activity. They guide decisions around development and improvement, while adhering to our commitment to create equity of opportunity, promote inclusion, remove disadvantage and reject discrimination.

  • Through the Lens of Disadvantage

    • Strategic emphasis on delivering excellence for disadvantaged learners even over other groups.
    • Benchmarking our impact through the lens of disadvantaged learners.
    • Developing best practice among CLF People to deliver for disadvantaged learners.
    • Working in tandem with others via CLF Partnerships to support our most disadvantaged families.
  • Investing in People

    • Sector-leading support, learning and professional development.
    • A welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment.
    • Resilient, empowered teams, with leaders at all levels.
    • Meaningful commitment to wellbeing and career progression.
    • High standards and ambitions for learners and their families.
  • Investing in Partnerships

    • Deep and collaborative connections throughout our communities.
    • Clear understanding of community issues and opportunities, and enthusiasm to engage.
    • Strong relationships with learners, parents, carers, volunteers and alumni.
    • Contribute to the educational and social landscape – locally, regionally and nationally.
    • Partner with other civic agencies to be a force for good in our local area

Our Sub-Strategies

Designed as enablers of our core pillars, these seven sub-strategies transcend teams and departments to resonate throughout the CLF. Driven by senior members of staff and reviewed annually, these ambitions will contribute to the sustainable development of the trust.

EDI
Wellbeing
Digital
Voice
Leadership
Operating at Scale
Environment
  • Unwavering commitment to advancing equal opportunities for all, eliminating discrimination, and upholding CLF values of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Ensure the Trust remains a place where everyone feels they belong and supported to succeed.
  • Support the drive to diversify the CLF workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.
  • Grow EDI Networks which create safe spaces for children and adults to be themselves.
  • Provide resources to help staff and students positively and proactively manage their wellbeing.
  • Ensure support is signposted and easily available if people are struggling.
  • Further evolve a wellbeing curriculum which aligns with our goal of self-agency.
  • Play an active role in communities which supports equitable access to mental health services for all – particularly those experiencing disadvantage.
  • Enable all staff and pupils to safely and effectively work and learn anytime, anywhere.
  • Be future-seekers, equipped and ready to adopt technology which has ‘crossed the chasm’.
  • Give people the right tools to support their work, and train them to excel.
  • Embrace technology which supports partnership ambitions within the community and across clusters and wider education system.
  • Be a listening organisation which puts its people at the heart of strategic choices.
  • Nurture cohesive and coherent systems which gather and understand stakeholder views.
  • Maintain strong understanding of our trust and its impact through the eyes of our communities.
  • Be a model for CLF students, staff, families and communities to use to enact societal change
  • Utilise Trust experience to develop leadership to meet the challenges of this decade.
  • Raise standards by investing in capacity and expertise across the Trust.
  • Nurture a leadership culture which sustains a high-performing Trust which improves as it grows.
  • Empower leaders to take ownership of improvements which raise standards
  • Deploy the right resource at the right time to deliver maximum impact.
  • Establish efficient and effective systems which add value and support core priorities.
  • Build a scalable model which enables both standardised and empowered future growth.
  • Develop a new financial operating model, shaped by the above outputs, which delivers successful outcomes.
  • A shared commitment to reducing environmental impact which will see all schools hold Eco Schools Green Flag status.
  • An annual environmental conference where green champions can showcase positive action in schools.
  • Deep pupil engagement in environmental matters, supported by the CLF curriculum.
  • Provide data to help schools understand and reduce their impact through behaviour and technical change.

Strategy In Action

03
Sep

New Weston Principal Says ‘Joy-Filled Curriculum’ Can Maintain School’s Culture Of ‘High Achievement’

A new Principal has been appointed at a Weston-super-Mare primary school – and aims to deliver a ‘joy-filled curriculum’ to help uphold its culture of ‘high achievement, equity and inclusion’.

Georgie Tinker will take up the reins at Herons’ Moor Academy in Locking Castle from the start of the new school year this week.

She will succeed Julie Fox, who has held the role of Principal since Herons’ Moor first opened in 2003, but who retired at the end of the last school year in July.

Georgie has previously worked in a number of schools in the North Somerset area, and has spent the past six years working as Vice Principal at Uphill Village Primary School – like Herons’ Moor, a school which is part of the Cabot Learning Federation.

She spent time at Herons’ Moor last term getting to know the school and children, but will formally step into the new role this week.

Georgie says she is keen to build strong relationships within the school, with parents, and across the wider community, to help all pupils achieve success.

Georgie Tinker, new Principal at Herons’ Moor Academy, said: “I feel extremely privileged to have the opportunity to build upon the success achieved under the leadership of Julie Fox and am excited to begin our learning journey together leading Herons’ Moor into its next chapter.

Being a mother of two now-teenagers, I understand the importance of high standards in teaching and learning and will ensure, along with the committed staff team, that all children experience success at Herons’ Moor.

“Working within our CLF family of schools, my vision for Herons’ Moor puts children at the heart of everything we do. My aim is for all children to experience a joy-filled curriculum which is delivered by quality teachers and support staff, ensuring equity and inclusion for the whole of the Locking Castle learning community.

“I want to build positive relationships and foster a whole-school environment which thrives on mutual respect, kindness, patience and honesty. Working closely with parents, I aim to make Herons’ Moor a school of high achievement, which everyone is proud to be part of.”

Susie Weaver, Executive Director at the Cabot Learning Federation, said Georgie possesses the skills and experience to lead a school which has maintained a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating since 2009.

She said: “Georgie has been a Vice Principal at Uphill Primary Academy for a number of years and been part of the educational landscape in Weston for 20 years.

“Throughout the interview process, Georgie demonstrated a strong sense of connection to the Herons’ Moor Academy and the community, as well as the CLF and its North Somerset family of schools. I am confident she is the right person to lead Herons’ Moor forward into its next exciting chapter.”

Parents who are interested in learning more about Herons’ Moor Academy ahead of selecting a school place for next September are welcome to make an appointment at the school office for a tour. Call 01934 441901 to book.

22
Aug

GCSE results across the CLF

Students and parents across the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) have much to celebrate following the release of this year’s GCSE examination results. The dedication and hard work of our students, supported by their families and the committed staff across our schools, have culminated in a day filled with pride and achievement.

To find out more please see below.

Monkton Wood Academy

Students at Monkton Wood Academy are celebrating their GCSE and BTEC results today. Their success is down to their hard work and the encouragement and support of their families and school staff.

For all the details click here

Broadoak Academy

At Broadoak Academy we are delighted to announce that students have yet again attained very well in the 2024 GCSE exams.

This is down to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our wonderful students, as well as the unwavering support of our parents/carers, and the formidable work of our staff in doing everything they can to support our students to these outcomes. A huge thank you to everyone – our hard work, our togetherness and community spirit are bearing fruit!

For all the details click here.

Hans Price Academy

Adrian Esch, Principal at Hans Price Academy said: “We have had another successful year at Hans Price Academy. I am delighted that our Year 11 students have made excellent progress during their time with us, and that we continue to sustain these outcomes each year.

Staff and students are highly ambitious at Hans Price Academy. This has once again been reflected in our results.  This year over 50% of students achieved one or more top grades across their range of subjects. Students have also taken advantage of the additional sessions before and after school, as well as during the holidays. We are thrilled that they are now able to pursue their chosen courses and destinations.

As always, I am deeply grateful for the dedication, enthusiasm and tenacity of our staff, as well as the fantastic support of our families who have worked alongside us for 5 years to ensure that their child is “Ready to Learn” and have the high expectations and self-belief required to fulfil their potential.

We are incredibly proud of our students and wish them every success for the future.”

Steve Taylor CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation said: “Across the Cabot Learning Federation, we have almost 1,800 students collecting their results today after 12 years of education, and the day is all about them as individuals. There are some extraordinary stories of young people achieving well against the odds, showing the tenacity and commitment to invest in themselves and their futures. We know that they are making their parents and carers and our colleagues proud, and we’re just as excited to see where they go next as what they find when they open their envelopes today. Well done to them and thank you to the many colleagues who have nurtured their potential and helped them to grow from the first day they were dropped off at school!”

Hanham Woods Academy

Everyone at Hanham Woods is extremely proud of the journey the Class of 2024 have been on to achieve their GCSE results. Their outcomes are a result of the hard work and dedication shown, not only during Year 11 but throughout their time at the Academy.

For all the details click here.

Snowdon Village

The children across Snowdon Village have done well in their exams again this year and almost all of the Year 11 cohort have secured a place in further education. The school is open this week and next (it has been open throughout the summer) to support the children who have yet to secure their placements.

For all the details click here.

John Cabot Academy

John Cabot Academy is pleased to announce another year of outstanding achievements by its students in their GCSEs this summer. The students at John Cabot Academy always thrive academically in a supportive and compassionate culture.

For all the details click here.

Bristol Brunel Academy

Today’s GCSE results are the product of a community effort over the last five years. Our students, their families and staff have worked consistently hard and provided support, in so many ways, to ensure that they can progress onto their next phase in their journey. We have seen real strength in character and determination from year 11’s which have been reflected in their outcomes.

Principal, Jen Cusack said: “I am immensely proud of what this year group have achieved and that the resilience that they have shown. The atmosphere this morning has been one of nerves, excitement and pride in what has been accomplished, where staff and students have been able to share their success together. I am looking forward to hearing about future plans as they enter an exciting new chapter in their lives.”

Bristol Metropolitan Academy

Bristol Metropolitan Academy are celebrating the culmination of many years of hard work for our Year 11 students today.  Our students have a proven track record of securing some of the best results in the city and this year it looks like they have smashed it again securing some of the strongest results in the history of the Academy.

For all the details click here.

Digitech Studio School

Digitech Studio School Bristol is pleased to report a set of strong outcomes by its students in their GCSEs and vocational qualifications this summer. The grades achieved are testament to the hard work, commitment and resilience the students have demonstrated over the past two years at Digitech. All students should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. The results in the creative and digital vocational subjects, which underpin the specialist curriculum at Digitech, have been excellent again this year.

Chris Ballard, the school’s principal, said: “We want to congratulate all of our year 11 students who have received their results today and are extremely proud of all their work, achievements and outcomes. The students have shown passion, commitment and determination in their studies throughout their time here at Digitech and it has been great to see lots of smiling faces this morning as students secure the grades that they worked so hard for and are now able to progress onto their desired destination.

Worthy of special mention are Alex Mapson, Louisa Davis, Oscar Patterson, Oliver Pincott, Iolo Breakspear-Purcell, Miles Giles, Chloe Little, Siri Makela, Marnie Tickner and Leah Lewis all of whom achieved a particularly impressive array of qualifications.

“Thank you to all the staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure all of our students are able to progress onto their next steps, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

City Academy

City Academy has achieved another year of above average progress. Over 62% of students passed Maths and 65% of students passed English.

For all the details click here.

Tewkesbury Academy

Tewkesbury Academy is celebrating another great year and congratulates our Y11 students on their success in their GCSEs and other Level 2 awards.

For all the details click here.

20
Aug

A Level results across the CLF

The Cabot Learning Federation is delighted to announce a highly successful year for our A Level students. Through unwavering dedication, hard work, and resilience, our students have achieved remarkable results. For all the details please see below.

Digitech Studio School

Digitech Studio School Bristol in partnership with Boomsatsuma, Robins Foundation and Bristol School of Acting is pleased to report a set of outstanding achievements by its students in their post-16 qualifications.

More than 60 students achieved the highest possible grades in media, game design, art, acting and dance. Many students are now moving on to prestigious courses and apprenticeships in these specialist areas, enabling them to follow their individual passions in the creative, digital and high-tech sectors.

To read the story in full please click here.

Winterstoke Hundred Academy

Winterstoke Hundred Academy is pleased to report some outstanding achievements by its students in their A-level and vocational qualifications this summer.

The results are particularly impressive from a group of students who have demonstrated hard work and resilience in their approach to their studies.

To read the story in full please click here.

Tewkesbury Academy

Tewkesbury Academy’s Sixth Form team has spoken of the ‘immense pride’ at the achievements of this year’s graduating students.

The impressive results reflect the hard study efforts of Tewkesbury’s young people, as well as the inspiration and motivation received from not only their Sixth Form teachers and tutors at Tewkesbury Academy, but also every teacher who has contributed to their learning over the past 14 years.

To read the story in full please click here.

CLF Post 16

At Cabot Learning Federation we are delighted that so many of our students have achieved well in their level 3 courses; A-Levels and vocational qualifications. High numbers of students have been successful in securing University places as well as apprenticeships and employment.

“It has been a joy to see such happiness from students and their results and delight with them as they plan and accept their next steps, an exciting time for all. The students have worked so very hard across the 2 years and they deserve to celebrate their success! “Kath Cooper, Principal, CLF Post-16.

Amongst this year’s cohort there are some amazing success stories that highlight the resilience of students and the first class support offered by the CLF Post-16 Team.

For example, Blue (Siam) Chuaibamrung – accepted place to study physics at University of Bristol.  Blue is just 17 years old and self-taught GCSEs in Thailand.  He achieved 4 A levels.

Lucca Bacca accepted his first choice of studying Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes University as his second choice whilst he awaits the outcome of his interview to join the armed forces.

Rattapong Gosney has secured an apprenticeship for Decorating with a company and training through SGS.

Latalia Williams has secured a place at Birmingham City University to study midwifery

We are also able to continue our success journey of our disadvantage PP/ FSM and SEND students, that have achieved strong grades and positive progress especially with the increase of students attaining tops grades.

We continue to support the students in our care as we prepare for our return in September. Our enrolment day will be held at John Cabot Academy on Friday 23rd August and we continue to welcome new applications from year 11 and 12 students please see our admissions page on the website www.clfpost16.org .

19
Jul

Students shine at annual CLF Big Dance

Students from across the trust converged on City Academy for the annual CLF Big Dance, one of the many ‘Big Events’ designed for students to come together and celebrate excellence in various disciplines.

Eleven academies were involved from across our federation, including troupes from both secondary and primary phases, and showcasing an incredible range of talent and creativity.

The event was hosted by CLF Post 16 Urban Dance students, marking the culmination of a year-long project. Each academy had welcomed a Post 16 student during the year who choreographed and coached their respective dance troupes, preparing them for the grand performance.

A diverse mix of musical genres and dance styles kept the capacity audience enthralled throughout. The camaraderie between dance troupes was amazing, with all schools cheering each other on in a display of unity and support.

Jeanine Preece, Post 16 Associate Assistant Principal and event organiser, said: “The work our students do towards this final event each term is huge.

“The collaboration between academies is the only way we get this outcome, so credit to them too.

“Our Post 16 dance students are world champions in their own right and because of this work with ‘Big Events’, some will be heading off to university to become teachers themselves, which is great to see.

“This has been a real chance for students to learn and inspire other children.”

The CLF Big Dance shows dedication, talent, and collaborative spirit of the students and staff within the federation, creating lasting memories and fostering a love for the arts.

 

17
Jul

Uphill Village Academy: a school of kindness

A year-long initiative designed to encourage and celebrate acts of kindness by pupils has seen Uphill Village Academy formally accredited as a Kindness Ambassador School.

The school in Weston-super-Mare has seen its commitment to fostering a culture of kindness within the school community earn official recognition from the charity 52 Lives.

Throughout the year, Uphill has engaged in various initiatives to promote kindness. The school elected lead ambassadors from Year 6 and designated kindness ambassadors from every class. These ambassadors played a crucial role in embedding kindness into daily school life. They attended online networks with other schools across the UK, sharing and learning best practices in promoting kindness.

To help foster a kind environment, Uphill implemented several strategies, including:

  • Pledges and certificates: Acknowledging and celebrating acts of kindness.
  • Kindness bench: Managed by ambassadors, providing a dedicated space for students to sit and experience kindness.
  • Posters and kindness boards: Reminders and suggestions for showing kindness displayed around the school.

Being designated as a School of Kindness emphasises that kindness is the most important quality a child can possess. The 52 Lives charity believe kindness exists within everyone and sometimes just needs to be unlocked. By working with thousands of children each year, they help create a culture of kindness in classrooms.

Lucy de Scossa, the learning mentor who led this project at Uphill, said: “At Uphill Village Academy, we feel that everyone deserves kindness, and that kindness should be celebrated.

“Seeing the ambassadors shine with pride is a joy, they take great pleasure in sharing their kindness across the school.

“The kindness ambassadors encourage and acknowledge acts of kindness among pupils and staff, which are celebrated with certificates.

“We have noticed a positive change in our school since starting the 52 Lives program and look forward to expanding our kindness pledges next year. Kindness is a role model that everyone can share.”

Uphill Village Academy is committed to continuing its journey of kindness, ensuring that every student and staff member experiences the profound impact of kindness in their daily lives.

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CEO: Mr Steve Taylor
Federation House
King's Oak Academy
Brook Road, Bristol
BS15 4JT
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Registered Company: Cabot Learning Federation
Company No: 06207590